Page 366 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

the very principles of humanitarian assistance and must be immediately
addressed. An extremely positive development in this regard has been the
inclusion of attacks against humanitarian workers as a crime falling under the
jurisdiction of the ICC. The most crucial goal is putting an end to the cycle of
impunity from prosecution so often witnessed. Along similar lines, the
Secretary-General has even recommended that: “combatants be held
financially liable for their victims under international law where civilians are
made the deliberate targets of aggression.” He further recommended that:
“international legal machinery be developed to facilitate efforts to find, attach
and seize the assets of transgressing parties and their leaders.” In the final
analysis, we must insist upon the translation of international law and moral
principles into action and implementation in the field.

To this end, the vital importance of education in the international legal
realm cannot be stressed enough. Many States are quite new to the interna-
tional arena and are just learning about international law and norms of
behavior. It is therefore essential to provide all sectors of these countries with
the knowledge which they lack and which they seek in order to ensure respect
for the basic principles of international humanitarian law. Furthermore, those
responsible for lack of compliance with the same should be held accountable
accordingly.

Lastly, the realm of complex emergencies and natural disasters merits
discussion. The primary objective of the United Nations in humanitarian
assistance is to help civilian victims not only of conflicts but also of natural
disasters.

The UN response to “complex-emergency” situations which tend to cause
major population displacement, extreme violence and loss of life, as well as
both societal and economic damage has been multifaceted. It includes:
monitoring and early warning, contingency planning, inter-agency situation
needs assessment, a field coordination mechanism and consolidated appeals.
All this leading to a successful, well-coordinated response to a humanitarian
emergency on the part of the international community.

The humanitarian consequences of natural disasters are often particularly
acute in developing countries and frequently exceed the resources of the
country involved. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
responds with an “around the clock readiness for disasters.” In this regard, the
UN is also involved with providing on-site assessment and coordination

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